Citrus buffet.
1/5Citrus buffet.Enrique Ascui
Vegetarian curries.
2/5Vegetarian curries.Luis Enrique Ascui
Inside the casual diner.
3/5Inside the casual diner.Luis Enrique Ascui
Meat curries.
4/5Meat curries.Luis Enrique Ascui
There are plenty of curries on offer at the buffer.
5/5There are plenty of curries on offer at the buffer.Luis Enrique Ascui

Critics'Pick

Sri Lankan$

Those in the inner north know Citrus. In the four years since opening,this family-owned restaurant has drawn a following for its nourishing all-you-can eat Sri Lankan fare.

In a low-lit dining room amid images of tea plantations,roaring waterfalls and wild elephants,a stream of diners moves along the buffet. They’re piling their plates high with cumin-rich biryani,potato simmered with mustard seeds and chilli,sticky-spicy devilled fish,and hearty lentil dhal.

A heap of fluffy saffron rice is a necessity,as is customising with condiments:super-sour lime achcharu (pickle),pineapple chutney and flossy coconut sambol.

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It’s not all buffet-style,though. String hoppers kothu can be ordered a la carte,as can watalappan,the coconut milk pudding sweetened with jaggery. Can’t get enough sweet stuff? Falooda – the drink of condensed milk,rose syrup and basil – will satisfy.

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Melbourne’s Northern Suburbs
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